In the Community

Two avid young readers epitomised the strong competitive spirit for which Springer Memorial School is known, when they tied for the top award of Best Reader in the School’s recently concluded 2013 Reading Programme for second year students.

The Best Reader Award was adjudged to have been won by both Arkayla Clarke and colleague Markayla Smith-Rock, and sponsors SOL CARIBBEAN LTD duly obliged by presenting each with top prizes of a trophy and Quantum 7 tablets. The programme was held this year under the theme: “Reading: More than a pastime, a pathway”.

Gina Cummins, Group Marketing & Communications Coordinator with SOL CARIBBEAN LTD, said the contribution to the reading programme was in keeping with the company’s vision for supporting educational development in Barbados and the wider region.

“This is our second year contributing to this programme and we were pleased to see the number of developments made, as students read more books and were subject to more rigorous testing. Sol is committed to supporting educational opportunities for our young people and this programme at Springer Memorial is an opportunity to continue to improve the status of our young women.”

Thirty students were rewarded for their special efforts during an awards ceremony held at the all-girls school on Monday, April 3^rd, during which Year Head, Mr. Francis Thompson noted that the students had read a combined 974 books, compared with 800 read in the previous year’s programme. Other outstanding performers included Naygia Bradshaw, Akaylia Scantlebury, Shade Jaques, and Sionnize Bellamy.

Thanking parents, sponsors and the teaching staff for their support, Thompson said the reading programme had increased traffic in the school library and had also contributed to improved academic performances among the students. Echoing Mr. Thompson’s sentiments, Principal of the school Mrs. Pauline Benjamin also thanked parents and sponsors for their support, and encouraged the students to continue to cultivate reading as a habit.

The students also received words of encouragement from featured speaker, Ms. Margaret Allman-Goddard, Managing Director of Finer Points Consultants who emphasised the importance of reading to overall success in life regardless of one’s field of endeavour.

“Reading is really a pathway to take you to where you want to go, and for you to do what you want to do,” she said.